UNLV @ UCLA preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2015 ) UCLA 37, UNLV 3

UCLA will look to bounce back from a tough loss and quarterback Josh Rosen will try to clean up his mistakes from the season opener when the Bruins host UNLV at the Rose Bowl on Saturday evening. Rosen, a potential Heisman Trophy candidate coming into the season, matched his career high with three interceptions in a 31-24 overtime loss Saturday at Texas A&M and led UCLA into the end zone on just one of six red zone opportunities.

UCLA coach Jim Mora said during practice this week that members of the offense had trouble hearing Rosen over the din of 100,000 fans, so Saturday's home game in front of half that number should eliminate that problem. The Bruins allowed five sacks after surrendering 14 all of last season, and it appeared the UCLA receivers took a long time to get open. The defense needs to be better against the run as well, giving up 203 yards on the ground against Texas A&M and next facing a UNLV backfield that rushed for 280 yards in their 63-13 season-opening win over Jackson State, albeit an FCS team.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: UCLA -26.

ABOUT UNLV (1-0): Johnny Stanton made his debut Saturday against Jackson State and the former Nebraska commit showed why he was one of the top dual-threat high school quarterbacks on the West Coast a few years ago, completing 10-of-12 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another 35 yards on four carries. Stanton could be facing a UCLA defense that's thin on pass rushers, as Takkarist McKinley is day-to-day after re-injuring his groin against Texas A&M and Deon Hollins missed the game with a concussion. The Rebels also have one of the top receivers in the Mountain West Conference, Devonte Boyd, who got off to a strong start with four catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns.

ABOUT UCLA (0-1): The Bruins believe they have their own reliable receiver in Kenneth Walker III, who caught six passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M, but the senior had never caught more than three passes in a game in his previous three seasons with UCLA, so he's still mostly unproven. The Bruins might look to take some pressure off the passing game by leaning on running backs Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi, who combined for 139 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries last weekend. UCLA defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, who missed nearly all of last season with a knee injury, will be asked to put pressure on Stanton after producing five quarterback hurries against Texas A&M.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UCLA has won its last five home openers.

2. The Bruins have rushed for at least one TD in 15 straight games.

3. The Bruins and UNLV are meeting for just the second time in their programs' history.

PREDICTION: UCLA 38, UNLV 28